I was born August 12, 2006, about 12 weeks early, weighing 1 lb 8 oz. I was hospitalized for 514 days, 6 months in NICU and 11 months in PICU, and I finally got to go home for the first time on January 7th, 2008. I've been working really hard to grow my lungs bigger and stronger so I can eventually get off my ventilator and do all the things other kids do. I'm pretty tough but my smile will charm you.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Kiera's back at home

Kiera was discharged yesterday, and seems to be getting back to her old self. Mommy is still getting over her bronchitis, probably inspired by the same virus that gave Kiera pneumonia. Daddy got it, but mostly had a sniffle for a few days. Just goes to show how much of a problem a sniffle can cause Kiera, so keep vigilant if you are visiting this winter. No sniffles allowed.

Fallout from this admission, or maybe just bad timing, is that Kiera is practicing her separation anxiety. Every time I leave the room she cries. I even stepped behind the couch to get her meds this morning, and she was lying down and couldn't see me, so she sat up and cried. I think it was particularly hard for her in the hospital because I stayed away two days while I was sick in order to keep her well, but that's impossible to explain to a 2 yr old. I had to sit and cuddle her most of the evening last night. Thank goodness for Grandma who visited while I couldn't.

Funny story: After we called the charge nurse while we were on our way to the hospital to admit Kiera last Monday, we hung up, and she had to call me back on my cell to get some other information. She didn't have to use caller I.D. because she has my cell number memorized. You know you've been in the hospital to often when you not only have the hospital's direct line committed to memory, but they've memorized YOUR number. :) Now THAT'S customer service!

Kiera's peek-a-boo game

Kiera's First Love, July 2007

About Me

I was born on August 12, 2006, after an emergency C-Section. I was about 12 weeks premature. 1 lb. 8 oz., a little underweight for a 28-weeker. Mostly, aside from my Chronic Lung disease from the early delivery, and having to live with a trachiostomy and a respirator, and beating my Pulminary Hypertension and thickening of my heart walls, all-in-all I am doing fine.

bornalivetruth.org

Kiera's NICU Days

I didn't start the blog till Kiera was 6 months old and in danger of dying; so here are some early days pics for those who didn't know her when she was so small.

Mommy's first chance to hold Kiera on day 2, just over the heated bed.

First Kangaroo Cuddle at 5 days old, 1 lb 6oz, she lost a little weight like all babies after birth.

2 lb princess

Take Daddy's hand

Mommy gives Kiera a sponge bath, weight about 3 lbs

In the 3 lb range, the blanket is a security blanket or burp cloth size, folded in half. When I got it as a gift before she was born, I thought, "What a ridiculously small blanket!" It ended up being just perfect for her.